Fictional Character

Forget the boring old question of 'who's your favorite fictional character?' Today I ask you, who is a fictional character you would trade lives with? There was a time when my answer would have firmly been Hannah Montana.

If you would choose someone like James Bond, you're not alone. My friends at #Apson sent me the coolest watch yesterday, and you cannot wear it without feeling totally 007.

New Look

You may notice something a bit different about My Neon Green Notebook...that's right, I've made some aesthetic changes to my blog. I've had this blog for about a year and a half, so time for some changes. What do you think?

Lethologica

'Lethologica' is the word for when you can't remember a word...they couldn't have made 'lethologica' an easier word to remember?

feefeertr

Fiverr

Seller

I've been on Fiverr for 5 years as a top rated and super seller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWFbpp_27qk. I authored a bestselling book, am completing my Masters degree, and sang on MTV. Use my skills for your gain. Always professional. Happiness guaranteed.

What If Every Place Was like Main Street?

Morissa collaborated with Ryan O’ Neil to bring you the song ‘What If,” in this video celebrating small businesses and the main streets that they make up.

Morissa grew up in a small business, her parents’ carpet shop The Carpet Maven, and has been using her position as a UCI GA to promote eco-friendly small businesses through her website CoastalNJSmallBusiness.

Filed under: Performer, Singer

Turntables

Nothing beats listening to some Jack White on my #1byoneturntabl. The song is "I'm Shakin," one of the best covers in the history of music, for the record. #imshakin #imshaking #jackwhite #thirdmanrecords @thirdmanrecordsofficial #vinyl #record #music #play

A photo posted by Morissa Schwartz (@morissa_schwartz) on Mar 23, 2016 at 8:24pm PDT

I am a big fan of modern turntables. I like having the option of playing actual LPs or plugging my iPhone in and blasting some new stuff. Anyone else with me on the turntable trend?

Honestly, I am getting dangerously obsessed with #turntable. This one is blue and a suitcase. A total business on the outside party on the inside deal there. Haha. #vinyl #music #lp #play #lol #happy

A photo posted by Morissa Schwartz (@morissa_schwartz) on Mar 28, 2016 at 7:15am PDT

#turntable

Self-Publishing VS Publishing with a Publisher (a la GenZ)

There is a war going on, and it involves clashing publishing forms: self-publishing versus publishers. I have published books both ways, and in my experience, there is a clear winner. Before revealing that winner, let me break down each process.

I self-published my first book in high school. All expenses were my own, but all profits (often not the case) were also my own. I hired someone to format the book on a freelancing website and worked many hours perfecting that book. Once it was time to publish, that was on me too. I published through CreateSpace, and the process was tough navigating through all the parameters to successfully publish a book from figuring out proper formatting for book size to eBook conversion. After that, I had to promote and market my book. I was so excited that I was finally a published author, only….it felt like no one else saw it that way. Being self-published gave me no notoriety. I remember how embarrassed I was when I called a bookstore hoping to do a reading and they said that self-published authors were not allowed to do readings at their shop. Every other bookstore I contacted said the same thing. But it wasn’t just the shops who did not take my self-published work seriously. People had the attitude that it was “cute” that I published my own book at such a young age, but none went “wow.” Not to mention my profits or lack thereof. Being my own publisher meant that I had few resources to promote my book, which meant fewer sales for me. That is why when I wrote my next book, I knew it needed to be published with a publisher.

Finding a publisher is not an easy task, but I was fortunate enough to be signed by VIP Ink Publishing, a mid-sized publisher out of Louisiana. The week after I was signed, I was asked what I wanted my cover to look like, and then VIP created that cover. A short while after later, I was sent my files after they were carefully edited and formatted. Following that, I received my proof in the mail. The process was already better than self-publishing. I did not have to worry about how to hire someone to format my book or how to edit it properly. VIP did that for me. The best part was when I told people that my book was being published by VIP, I got the ‘wow.’ Bookshops approached me about having signings there. While of course there are profits to share with VIP and expenses that had to be recouped, I and my book are in much better shape than they were when I self-published. I have less worries and more notoriety.

That is why I started GenZ Publishing. I was fortunate to have VIP publish my book, but there are too few companies out there that publish authors like myself. You pave the way for the future with the pride of having someone else believe enough in your work to publish it.

The main criticism that GenZ gets is that we recoup a portion of expenses from authors’ royalties. Those writers would have to pay every cent out of pocket if they were self-publishing while not getting the recognition or having the reach that we have. Another criticism we get is that we require our authors to purchase author copies of their books, but this is for the simple fact that we want them to do those bookstore readings that I didn’t get to do. I want them to walk into a university or bookshop with their copies in hand and sign them for readers, so that they can get the amazing pride that comes with being a published author. So to answer the above question: publishing wins out over self-publishing in every way possible. Nothing beats a reader approaching you after a reading and stating how much you inspire them.

Being published by a publisher, even if there are not great profits for the author, paves the way for future opportunities. Young people and new writers do not seem to command the respect that many deserve for their writing unless they are published by someone other than themselves. Anyone can self-publish anything, no matter how grammatically incorrect, poorly formatted, or weak their content is. A first grader can self-publish their spelling test, but a publishing company wants to be successful and makes sure that each book is something that the world would like to read.

And that is why I write.

Best,

Morissa Schwartz

GenZ Publishing Founder

Awaken Your Creativity

Morissa gives some practical tips and prompts on staying creative.

Filed under: Blog, Performer

Awaken Your Creativity!

I keep my favorites in my notebook and use them when I feel like creative writing, whether it’s a story or a song. Most have elements of learning about yourself while also relating to society at large that can influence your work.None have simple answers.

Here are some of my personal favorites to get you thinking:

• What would you do if you could travel twenty years into your own future and live there for one day? This can be about your ideal self, your predicted self, or even the future in general. Just keep writing. 
• It started out as an unusual Monday morning, when… This can be fictitious (sounds like a good sci-fi start) or even an odd memory you have. 
• What would people say about me at my funeral?  While this may seem morbid at first glance, it is really an exploration of yourself and what you would want to be remembered for. 
• What stands between me and complete happiness?  When we answer this, we often find that life is a lot simpler than it seems. 
• The biggest issue that plagues society is…  This may get political or it could be an exploration of the issues you personally face daily and how you would want to change them. 
• How old would I be if I didn’t know my age? Why?  People often called me mature as a child, an old soul. So I know my age would be much older than I actually am. Most of us act differently than our birth age. This is another questions that fits into the realms of what makes you who you are. 
• What sounds or scents do I love? Describe them.  Sounds and smells are among the hardest to describe. Really challenge yourself with this one so a reader would be able to hear or smell what you are describing in their head.

I offer many more tips in my book Writing for the New Generation. 

Porcupettes

I learned an adorable fact today: baby porcupines are called porcupettes. Isn't that the cutest name ever? I love it.


I'd like to thank my friends at #LoofahandPad for my awesome new loofas. Great product that keeps me feeling clean.

GenZ Publishing

Morissa’s publishing company, GenZ Publishing is still accepting submissions from talented new writers. Submit your book to http://ift.tt/1O22NPH

Filed under: Blog, Contests, Writer

Reading

Morissa spoke about writing, read from her books, introduced some new GenZ books, signed her own books, and even hosted a Q&A session at a local library on this past weekend.

Want Morissa to read and bring GenZ to your bookstore, library, or festival? Contact MorissaSchwartz@gmail.com.

Filed under: Performer, Writer, writing

Sleeping bags

I've always had a strange love for sleeping bags. I remember the thing at the top of my Easter list when I was eight was this adorable green frog sleeping bag. Now this would be perfectly normal, except, I am not a camper...at all. I would use my sleeping bag for 'camp outs' in the living room. I must say, I still don't like camping very much but sleeping nags are very much in vogue in my book.

Sleeping bag from EGOZ

Brighter World

We are all in favor of a brighter future. In fact, I want the future to be so bright that I have to wear shades...okay I totally just ripped off Huey Lewis (even though there was a great version of that on the Extremely Goofy Movie soundtrack) and I wear shades regardless.


Never not wearing my shades, apparantly. ;)

But you get my point: Let's make tomorrow brighter by spreading some happiness today.

And that brings me to my friends who really are brightening up our world, literally, by brightening up our smiles. The kind folks at Brighter Image Lab are changing how we see our teeth with their veneers. It is truly amazing how amazing people look after using the Press On Veneers™ by Brighter Image Lab.

Brighter Image Lab has been in business since 1997, is based in Fort Worth, Texas and has accumulated more than 300,000 clients. They use state-of-the-art technology to help clients improve their smiles with new removable dental veneers. and it’s all done with no dentist.

What I love about them is how they make each veneer custom to fit every client. They are popular, affordable, and high quality. They make fixing your teeth easy. See below. 



POV - Sign In - Kristen US from Bil on Vimeo.

Check out their social media: 

• on Facebook
• on Pinterest
• on Instagram

Teeth

Am I the only person to be disappointed that George Washington's teeth weren't actually wooden?


#Sterline

Beauty Regime

 We all have 'beauty regimes' (not just ladies). It is the way you take care of yourself, your routine, how you prepare for the day. I personally apply moisturizer and eye serum before getting dressed. Usually my hair requires no care except for some spray in the morning and conditioner at night. So tell me, how does yours go?

My eye serum of choice is #spiritnaturalseyeserum. They know how to treat their customers; they even sent me a makeup bag!

Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur?

Morissa gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on NextStepU. 

Read it now!

Filed under: Fiverr, Performer, Writer